Car bomb claims 15 in Iraq

Shiite Muslim pilgrims take part in the Arbaeen rituals in the shrine city of Karbala, Iraq on January 2, 2013.

Story highlights

A car bomb exploded in a city south of Baghdad

Fifteen deaths and 37 injuries are reported

The attack comes amid sectarian tensions

A car bomb in the Iraqi city of Musayyib claimed at least 15 lives Thursday and injured dozens, a government official told CNN.

The bomb targeted Shiite pilgrims returning from Karbala, an Interior Ministry official said.

Musayyib is located 50 miles south of Baghdad.

The attack, which injured 37, comes amid rising sectarian tensions.

This week, tens of thousands of Sunnis participated in nationwide protests against what they say is second-class treatment by Iraq's Shiite-led government.

Sunnis largely boycotted Iraq's 2005 elections, leading to the emergence of a Shiite-led government. The move left the once-ruling minority disaffected, which contributed to years of bloody insurgency and sectarian warfare.